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    Nova SD

    3.0 (207 reviews)
    Fri 10:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)
    Sat 10:00 pm - 3:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    Nova SD Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Nova SD

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    They brought the marquee
    Michelle R.

    NOVA SD We've come here for years but our favorites times are getting booths. It's nice to not feel crowded and actually have room to dance. They have multiple levels. And the top floor is the rooftop where it's a different DJ with a different vibe so if you want fresh air, go to the rooftop. Pro tip: always get with a VIP host to find which dates and prices, if you're looking to splurge on a booth. And make sure you get the booth you request. Even on the cheapest of nights when we spend a date night here, it's always over $1500. We spent my birthday here and it was well over $2k so even though they say the booth price and drinks, you end up spending a lot more. The VIP servers were so accommodating! When we first checked into the booth, I ran back to the entrance to get my other friend and they brought the Marquee with my name and sparklers. Haha awkward without the birthday girl (me) in the booth so after talking to them, they came back later. I would suggest that the servers make sure to tell the guests "stay in the booth since we'll be back with your marquee" since I'm sure I'm not the only one. Also, we usually always have someone in our booth at all times while there's drinks there but we noticed the booth next to us was a group of guys and when they left the booth, someone in the crowd stole their bottles. It was pretty messed up so if you get a booth, watch your drinks. Overall, this is a fun place to go with the best DJs! And you wouldn't know it but I'm completely sober in these photos. The hostess were all really sweet and made sure we had other juices for me to have. It took everyone by surprise that I'd spend my birthday at a club and not drink but we all had a blast and I'd go back any day of the week!

    San Holo
    Laura B.

    Really Loved This Venue! It Didn't Feel Over Crowded And Did Not Get To Hot. Bathrooms Were Pretty Clean. Hoping To Go Again!

    Outdoor rooftop area
    Leslie B.

    My husband and I went to Nova to see Deadmau5, one of our favorite old school DJs, perform on NYE. Though I had never been to Nova, I had spent many weekend nights back at this venue when it had been the old beloved Stingaree or the more recent Omnia. We arrived around 10 PM, following a dinner nearby. There was no line to get in. I was a bit surprised to find that not only was my bag searched and I was wanded by a metal detector, but was also patted down. The bouncers confiscated my husband's eye drops (he has issues with his contacts), saying the the eyedrops could be drugs. I know it's good to be safe, but these exaggerated antics make me wonder what is wrong with this place. When we walked in, the show hadn't really started yet. The dance floor was empty at that time. We decided to head to the rooftop to get some air and a drink, sit down and relax. The best things about the club were that the rooftop had a lot of seating, as no one had purchased the tables up there, the bar service was fast, and the restrooms were clean with polite attendants. When it was after 11 PM, we headed down to check out the show. The floor was full... and I mean so full you couldn't get onto the floor. If you were there, you couldn't move to dance, nor move on or off the floor to get drinks. We stood back by the wall, in one of the only areas where you could actually see the performance without security telling us we couldn't stand there. Since the floor is completely surrounded by bottle service tables, the rest of the crowd has nowhere to stand other than to fill the walkways. This did not make for a fun night of dancing at all. Another huge disappointment is that the club did absolutely nothing at midnight. I mean, this was NYE! There was no balloon drop, no streamers, no fire, no nothing. It was just basically a crowded club night as usual. We got tired of standing in our corner, so we retired back to the rooftop to watch the performance from the screen and listen to the music piped through speakers. It was kind of a bummer that the only comfortable way to listen to the music was to remove ourselves from the stage area. Late in the night, closer to 1 AM, we went back inside to the balcony where we could mostly see the show and actually dance a bit, but that was after many other patrons had already left. The website states that there is a dress code, but many people wore sneakers and some were in sweats, or even pajamas. It is nice to have a place that hosts some great EDM artists, but it defeats the purpose if there is no space to dance, or breath, or a way to get to and from the bar. I will definitely continue to look to other venues to see my favorite artists.

    AMF
    Ashley P.

    Everything was good! The vibes! The drinks! The AMF will get you haha but it was really good. We went to see Sabai and he was such a good performer.

    Upstairs patio
    Mimi M.

    My group & I came to Nova SD for Sullivan King and overall, everything was absolutely perfect. The drinks were pretty good and the interior was great. It was much bigger than expected. The bouncers were kind as well as the bartenders inside. They even had a little patio upstairs if you needed a smoke break or a breather from all the loud music. I'm not very big on clubbing but I would most definitely come back to Nova after that wonderful experience.

    Rooftop
    Amanda J.

    I love this club! Great DJs and a good venue. They have the main floor downstairs where the DJs perform. They have a second floor with a good view down to the stage and then they also have a rooftop where they play music and you can hang out. I like going to the rooftop for fresh air when it gets too hot and packed inside the club. Every level has a bar. I don't think they have food.

    we finally made it to the very back middle at 1:30 am when a few people left
    Janessa H.

    Sorry Insomniac but do better. I'll start with the good: -paramedics on site walking around -decent bathroom lines / # of stalls -short bar lines (usually no wait) -bar staff was friendly could be better: if the only areas people who do not have a table can stand at is the center of the floor and the top floor center than stop overselling the show, it's ridiculous you have absolutely zero view upstairs in the center and SO MANY people stand there it's crazy. We luckily found a spot in the back by the stair entrance at the bottom and the garbage can that we could stand at and security didn't boot us away. Thank you! They were actually pretty chill about it because we weren't being drunk messes just trying to vibe without being trampled on. A bottle of water was $7.50 before tax. The ghost energy drink was $8.50 for an 8oz but tastes pretty good! Those are vegas prices tho! Big issue here is they over sell the venue so it is not comfortable at all. The only reason I went is because Kaskade was playing, anyone else it's a hard no.

    Adios
    Aaron R.

    The place is pretty big. It's 2 floors so it wasn't too crowded on the second floor. The drinks were pretty good not too strong and not too weak.

    Club nova my bridal shower

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    2 months ago

    Horrible nightclub horrible ambience. The security was so extremely mean I would never and I mean never come back!

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    8 months ago

    If you like edm it's a cool venue to run around at, they have a floor pit with 3 stories and the rooftop has an extra dj playing for fun

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    7 months ago

    Amazing veneue with great artists. The best visuals and ound in San Diego for the ultimate experience

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    4 years ago

    Business owner information

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    Ali P.

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    Nova SD Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Nova SD

    Is there a coat check?

    Yes there is a coat check next to the entrance!

    Am I allowed to wear revealing rave attire to see yellow claw? Like super short cheeky shorts and fishnets?

    Is some of these folks could come in there with slippers then yes LOL

    I lost an item at NOVA this past weekend... How quick is response time on these issues? When is the venue available for lost item pickup?

    Hi Melissa, you can email us at info@novasd.com. We're back in the office from Tue-Fri of next week from 10am - 6pm.

    Is there a coat check in the winter?

    Hi Melissa! We do offer a coat check. It's just $5 and located in our Box Office, near our front… Read more

    Going to nova for the first time what's up with parking would anyone recommend any free parkings I'm willing to pay but what would be my best option?

    There isn't really any free parking in that area. I'd recommend parking in one of the $10 flat fee garages and walking a few blocks.

    Is this place 18 + on saturday?

    No it's 21+ for every event

    Can we wear Dj's jerseys?

    Yess!! I see people do it all the time 😍

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - Nova SD

    We worked with Paz and he went above and beyond to make sure we had an amazing night for our friends bachelorette party!

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

    Read more highlights

    False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

    False Idol

    4.4(1.4k reviews)
    0.9 miLittle Italy
    $$

    My False Idol experience was memorable, albeit blurry toward the end! My boyfriend and I had been…read moreon a half-day tour beforehand, but I saw that False Idol was near our hotel and I insisted we stop in for a cocktail before calling it a night. I knew it was a speakeasy but he did not. I was trying to double-check on my phone that Craft & Commerce was the right restaurant its housed in (yes) when he tried to jet set off down the block "to keep looking" rather than listen to me. I yelled, "MOTHER!" by accident and then he did truly leave me hahaha. He resurfaced a few minutes later, and then we walked in. It was 5:15 at the time, so 15 minutes after opening. I had NO IDEA how popular this spot was, nor anything about its nation-wide reputation. I actually didn't know that until two days ago when a Yelp-friend at home here in Richmond, Virginia, exclaimed excitedly when I told her we stopped in. The host who greeted us was kind, informed us there had been a line to get in that day, but that they had one barrel left; we jumped on it of course. It was happy hour, so the first cocktail I ordered was dirt cheap at $9. It was the Imperial Hawaiian with gin, rum, lemon, pineapple, and orgeat. I really shouldn't have ordered a second drink after that one, but I did have the classic Saturn later on in the night and it was absurdly good! Definitely my favorite of the two. The moody tiki vibe was so cool and fun. They even had frogs you could play on the tables. We had some fun neighbors too, which livened up the experience even more. We had a great time and both walked out heavily buzzed. We were asleep by 8 that night, but it was worth it!

    Stopped by Falls Idol this past Saturday on our way back from Panda Fest, and it turned out to be…read moresuch a fun, spontaneous experience. We arrived about 10-15 minutes before opening, let the staff know we were walk-ins, and they were super accommodating--they gave us about 60 minutes at a table despite reservations coming in. The space itself is very small and tucked inside another venue, but that honestly adds to the charm. It's dimly lit with a unique, immersive vibe--think jungle-inspired with eclectic decor. At one point, there were rumbling sounds and subtle vibrations through the chairs, which made the whole experience feel interactive and different from your typical bar. The drinks were creative and fun (one of my friends even kept the drink garnish as a collectible), and the staff was friendly and welcoming throughout. It's definitely more about the ambiance and experience than anything else. I'd come back again--especially around the holidays to see how they switch up the decor. If you're looking for something a little different and don't mind a cozy, darker setting, it's worth checking out.

    Photos
    False Idol - Tiki themed decor

    Tiki themed decor

    False Idol - Rum barrel

    Rum barrel

    False Idol - Back bar rum selection

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    Back bar rum selection

    Noble Experiment - Strawberry cucumber Gin cocktail

    Noble Experiment

    4.5(1.9k reviews)
    0.2 miEast Village
    $$

    My brother-in-law and I were looking for places to drink....And we just wanted somewhere chill. We…read moreknew that any bar by tacos el gordo would be too wild for us, so we walked a couple blocks and approached Noble Experiment. I would say this was probably our highlight of our trip in San Diego. Garrick, the bartender there, was super accommodating. Not only was he and the other bartender were making damn good drinks, they would legit talk to you. The ambiance of the place is cool too. Felt like I was going inside some continental room like John Wick. Definitely my vibe and definitely coming back. But if you ever get Garrick as your bartender, you're in for a treat!

    The Noble Experiment: 9/10…read more Aesthetic & Ambiance: 9.5 - This place gives "speakeasy haunted mansion" vibes. You walk into the barrels, down the mirrors, and into the skull room...IYKYK no less. The waits to get very deadly so make sure to put your name on the list early. Service: 9/10 The host was chill, and we had Quintin as our mixologist. There are no menus he told us, he just went off of our flavors, and palate, so I can't really speak for how to order the same drink. First drink: 9/10 (profile) Vodka bases with cucumber and strawberry. Second drink: 8.5/10 (profile) Smokey, deep old fashion. Overall a MUST-GO to if you're in the area stopping by!

    Photos
    Noble Experiment - Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Spiced banana flip! Delicious!

    Noble Experiment - Bartenders creations.

    Bartenders creations.

    Noble Experiment - Skull wall

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    Skull wall

    Part Time Lover - The bar at PTL San Diego

    Part Time Lover

    4.3(506 reviews)
    3.1 miNorth Park
    $$

    Fun speakeasy in North Park. Probably the most popular bar in the area. The DJs are unreal and this…read morespot always has the best music. The drinks are creative and fun. The vibe is immaculate: dim-lighting, wooden furniture, nice wallpaper, and dark curtains. Cute but very overpriced vinyl shop in the back, it's more for show. It gets insanely busy here every night. There will always be a wait after 9 PM. Wait isn't long, but it's essential as it gets PACKED inside. Seating is always full and people will throw hands for a table. There is minimal room to stand. Unfortunately, there is NO DANCEFLOOR :,( The bar lines are INSANE and can be hard to follow. But the bartneders are patient and helpful when it's finally your turn. While I warn about the crowds, this place is awesome. 10/10 one of the best spots in San Diego, the staple of North Park.

    This is a nice establishment, especially for lounging with a date. Very clean and nice drinks too…read more A little pricey however that's the norm in this area for the more popular out of towner type spots. The servers are friendly. But you have to be patient as they are often quite busy. The record store and records theme is what they present online but to be honest that is only a minute section of the establishment. It definitely doesn't describe the theme of the place neither. The worker in the record section simply ignored me when I tried to purchase a record and after a minute I had to ask for him to please ring me up. No apology from him. No biggie, I still had a decent time drinking here.

    Photos
    Part Time Lover - Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)

    Bikini Kill (Serrano tequila blanco, mango, guava, tamarind, xila, lemon)

    Part Time Lover - Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead

    Record store to the left. Bathroom straight ahead

    Part Time Lover - Record Store inside the bar

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    Record Store inside the bar

    Prohibition - Our famous Prohibition Old Fashioned

    Prohibition

    4.0(1k reviews)
    0.1 miGaslamp
    $$

    As I approached the old law office, we found a line wrapped outside ensuring ID was confirmed prior…read moreto entry. Our group was surprised as is was 2115, it's been open for about an hour and a half and packed. As you enter this old law office down a staircase one would find the "speakeasy statutes/rules" to maintain the 1920s atmosphere-- we loved the setting, the people, the drinks, and of course the live music!! One would not be disappointed. The cocktail menu was on an old record, which I thought it was so clever. Back to the rules, seems pretty easy! They mention to keep an open mind with the drinks as they do not carry vodkas, redbull, Budweiser or bulls**t. Mentioned a dresscode, more so be classic and states be respectful and don't be a di*k. I couldn't agree more with the rules. I don't think there is good at this establishment, as our group just came from dinner I wasn't looking for food. Just spirits, live music and a good time. Highly recommend if you are looking for live music and uniquely crafted cocktails.

    I had never been to an underground bar before. I expected more of a speakeasy vibe, but it didn't…read morequite feel like one especially with a security guard right outside the entrance, which made it seem less hidden or exclusive. There's a cover charge, though I'm not exactly sure how much it is. Once inside, the performance stage is to the left, while the bar and restrooms are off to the right as you go down the stairs. Drinks are pricey--starting around $30, maybe even closer to $35. For just two drinks, we ended up paying $71, which was definitely surprising. Seating is pretty limited, so expect to be standing for most of your visit. I might come back again, but probably skip the drinks next time.

    Photos
    Prohibition
    Prohibition - El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila

    Prohibition - Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

    Starlite - Pistachio ice cream sandwich

    Starlite

    4.1(2.6k reviews)
    2.0 miMiddletown, Mission Hills
    $$$

    We had an incredible date night at Starlite! The different…read moresections each had a cool vibe, we got sat in the mirrored seating area right next to the waterfall. I enjoyed a delicious mocktail and my husband had one of the house cocktails. The twice baked potato was amazing! Honestly couldn't go wrong with anything off there menu. Would highly recommend. (Definitely get reservations)

    I wish I had the capacity to let y'all get the full experience that I did. I booked my reservation…read morethrough the Opentable app (highly recommend). Please keep in mind, if you do book through Opentable that they ask you to put a card down on file. The reservation was for 5:30, luckily a block away there's a parking lot (you do have to pay) as their personal parking lot fits 5-6 cars. The hostess was a sweetheart and super accommodating, as we were a few minutes late due to the parking situation and we had a great seat that showed the open layout with the chandelier, the back panel by the entrance with all the stars, etc. Overall: Service, exceptional. (5/5) Our waitress: Kelly, was a sweetheart, informative, mindful on consistent check-in's for refills, drinks, going over steps of the menu (e.g. - small bites, entrees, dessert, didn't feel rushed or too pushy, and considerate on time, and promptness). The waiter that came by mid-video to do the torch component of the butters we added on to our meats was great, I love that it's table side because it enhances the experience to the ambiance and you can squeeze a little video in. If you do go for your birthday, as I did, they provide you with a dessert outside of their choices, however, we did overindulge a bit. Overall, I had a phenomenal experience for my birthday dinner, the music/ambiance was great, service was great, and the food quality for both the meat choices we got, sides (caesar salad, broccoli, and macaroni) we're all SO yummy! I will definitely be back!

    Photos
    Starlite - Bar area after entering

    Bar area after entering

    Starlite - Herb Scalloped Potatoes

    Herb Scalloped Potatoes

    Starlite - Cocktails are fun!

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    Cocktails are fun!

    Kiku Room - DJ in the front room. Back room behind him that can be accessed from the side.

    Kiku Room

    3.6(33 reviews)
    1.8 miMiddletown

    One of the coolest new spots in San Diego in my opinion. This is the original location of the…read moreCasbah, it then languished for years as the Kava Lounge, a strange spot for wooks, and finally it became Kiku Room. Kiku Room has a chic minimalist interior, with polish concrete, metal, and glass as the primary backdrop. The DJ booth is large and separates the front sitting area from a lounge in the back that is draped in deep red lighting. The bartenders are cool and welcoming, the DJs who come through are usually really good, and the lounge is quite comfortable as well. Pretty good price on drinks overall, too. You can get a glass of draft Asahi here for $7, for instance, which is pretty good for a place that's in this DTSD-adjacent area.

    The music is their main focus -- and you can feel that the second you walk in. It's not random…read moreSpotify vibes. Yes the space is small but that helps make it feel more intimate. The cocktails are just as dialed. Balanced, clean, strong (in a good way), and not trying too hard. They have some great NA options as well. The NA Asahi beer is amazing. You can tell there's real intention behind the bar, which makes the whole experience feel cohesive. Yes, there's usually a line -- but that's what happens when something is this good. I've heard they're working on expanding, which would be amazing because the space deserves to hold more people without losing that energy. Five stars. For the music. For the drinks. For the vibe. I'll happily wait in line for this one.

    Photos
    Kiku Room - Pay to get in bar.

    Pay to get in bar.

    Kiku Room - Entrance to the back room

    Entrance to the back room

    Kiku Room - Dj area

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    Dj area

    Nova SD - danceclubs - Updated May 2026

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